Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is a studies-based interdisciplinary major. It features the academic (aesthetic, analytical, critical, historical, theoretical) and interdisciplinary study of communication as represented by the departments included within the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication.

Designed to ensure flexibility and choice, Communication Studies allows students a chance to fully investigate multiple fields in the communications discipline. Emphasis is placed on providing an overview of Communication while also accentuating personal academic growth. Personal choice and options allow students a chance to complete the degree in a timely manner.

In this interdisciplinary program, Communication Studies students must select one of the following concentrations as a distinctive area of investigation:

• Communication and Entrepreneurship
• Contemporary Media Environments
• Global and Community Engagement
• Production (for Temple Japan students only)
• Communication Studies Thesis (the Major of Distinction concentration, which is available for advanced scholars)

The flexibility of the Communication Studies program offers students access to the field experiences, internships and study away experiences vital to a comprehensive education. Students with a number of skill sets and academic interest areas are often drawn to this innovative program and graduates are poised for a number of professional and academic possibilities, such as graduate, law or professional school. Graduates of this program will be well-suited to pursue a variety of positions across numerous aspects of the communications field.

Students receive cross-curricular expertise through foundation and core courses. Academic rigor and student choice are at the very core of the program. Choices allow a student flexibility, and curricular oversight ensures a solid, academically robust education. Courses are designed to allow student progress to be monitored at yearly intervals. Experiential learning is promoted, particularly during the junior and senior years. Cross cultural exchanges and experiences are integral aspects of the program's design. Advanced scholars have a distinct and individualized concentration.

Communication Studies Thesis (Major of Distinction) Concentration

The Communication Studies Thesis concentration, also referred to as the Major of Distinction concentration, is an academically rigorous program for students who wish to construct an interdisciplinary curriculum that meets their individual interests across the Klein departments. In the Major of Distinction, each student works individually with a faculty advisor from a relevant Klein department to build a curriculum that goes beyond the offered concentrations. The student completes five courses, four of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, and in the senior year completes a two-semester thesis. A student in the Major of Distinction must have completed three semesters of a foreign language (or equivalent with the approval of the Director of Communication Studies) by the time of graduation. If appropriate to the student's research, an advanced methods or theory course may be required by the student's faculty advisor.

Students apply for a Major of Distinction in the second semester of their sophomore year. To be considered, students must be on schedule to complete their Foundational and Core Communications courses by the end of their sophomore year. Also, students must have earned at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in their Foundational and Core Communications courses along with a 3.25 overall GPA. Students must submit an application to the Director of Communication Studies that includes a statement of student's interest, a proposed curriculum, and a support letter from a full-time Klein faculty member willing to act as the student's faculty advisor.

Once accepted into the Major of Distinction and in consultation with his or her faculty advisor and the Director of Communication Studies, each student constructs his or her own curriculum. The curriculum must contain five courses, four of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, and include courses from at least three of the Klein majors. Courses selected should be designed to lead to the senior-year thesis.

Campus Location: Main and Japan

Program Code: CO-CMST-BA

Contact Information

Main Campus

Scott Gratson, PhD, Program Director
Annenberg Hall, Room 9D
215-204-6434
sgratson@temple.edu

Kisha Hence, Assistant Program Director
Annenberg Hall, Room 9C
215-204-6603
khence@temple.edu

Temple Japan Campus

Kevin Jones, MFA, Chair for the Division of Media and Fine Arts
kevinhjones@tuj.temple.edu

John A. Lipartito Jr., BA, Faculty Advisor for the Communication Studies Major
jrlipartito@tuj.temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Communication Studies by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours (s.h.) of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in the major.

Students must meet:

1. University requirements
   • All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
   • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses in the major at Temple University.
2. Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1002 and KLN 1002.
3. Minimum of 42 s.h. in Communication Studies.
4. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
5. Maximum of 30 s.h. in any one Klein department may be counted toward the major.
6. A maximum of 4 s.h. of Internship credit may be counted toward the degree.
7. A maximum of 8 s.h. combined of Independent Study and/or Special Projects may be counted toward the degree.
8. No more than 8 s.h. in Kinesiology and Dance activities courses.
9. Students may participate in study away programs.
10. Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of major courses at Temple.

11. Communication Studies majors may minor in established Klein minors. The Communication Studies student who declares a minor must complete the entire program requirements for both the major and the minor. Courses listed for both the Communication Studies major and Klein minor will only apply towards one of the curriculums. If the class is part of an array of courses, students will be required to take a different course to satisfy the major requirement.

Communication Studies: Communication Studies Thesis (Major of Distinction) Requirements

1. All Communication Studies majors must take two foundation courses:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   CMST 1111	Communication and Public Life	3
   Select one of the following:		3
   MSP 1021	Introduction to Media Analysis
   PR 2661	Communicating Organizational Change
   PR 2672	Global Communication and Leadership
   Total Credit Hours		6

2. All majors will take five additional core courses. Students will select one course each from the categories below (15 credits). Students should plan to meet the prerequisites for courses in their selected concentration (see below) by taking appropriate core courses.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   Core Courses
   CMST 2111	Communications Seminar 1	3
   Communication Theory
   Select one of the following:		3
   ADV 1101	Introduction to Media and Society
   ADV 1102	Introduction to Advertising
   JRN 1111	Journalism and Society
   MSP 2011	Introduction to Media Theory
   Research Methods
   Select one of the following:		3
   ADV 2141	Introduction to Brand Strategy and Research
   JRN 2101	Journalism Research
   MSP 2141	Media Research 1
   Analysis
   Select one of the following:		3
   ADV 2151	Introduction to Art Direction: Visual Communication
   COMC 1111	Presentations for Policy Change
   or COMC 1911	Honors Presentations for Policy Change
   MSP 2421	Media and Popular Culture 1
   Cross-Cultural Perspectives
   Select one of the following:		3
   COMC 3701	Intercultural Communication
   COMC 3702	Communication, Culture and Identity
   Total Credit Hours		15

   ¹

   Course has prerequisites.

3. In the Communication Studies Thesis (Major of Distinction), each student works individually with a faculty advisor from a relevant Klein department to build a curriculum that goes beyond that offered by the established concentrations.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   Major of Distinction Coursework
   One Klein course at any level		3
   Four 3000+ Klein courses		12
   CMST Thesis Hours		6
   Language Proficiency
   Language 1001 level
   Language 1002 level
   Language 1003 level
   Total Credit Hours		21

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with Concentration in Communication Studies Thesis (Major of Distinction)

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs are available to students in the Communication Studies BA:

Lew Klein College of Media and Communication

• Media Studies and Production MA
• Journalism MJ